1. Empower and support local group coordinators.I believe that the responsibility of the ExComm is to make sure our local group coordinators have the resources they need to best support our members. They are the ones who connect with our members, they are the ones who have to work the hardest to keep GenY alive in Mensa. Some of the things I would like to do are to:- Create an evolving knowledge base for local group coordinators that contains information on how they can be an effective local group coordinator. It would include ideas for activities, tips on getting other volunteers, things to say to new members and other FAQs.- Host regular virtual meetups with coordinators to share best practices.- Help GenY members run for a local board position such as GenY Coordinator or Membership Officer. With the help of other coordinators, we can put together a guide to “convince your ExComm that they need a coordinator and that it should be you”.

2. Facilitate non-local SIG connections.- Post a public calendar of GenYM events all over the country. - Post a list of local group coordinators (and openings).- Hold regular FB discussions, Google Hangouts so that members who don’t live in a GenY-heavy area can still have interactions with other Ms their age.- Host a GenY Annual Gathering a day before the AG. The program will give members opportunities to meet, form connections and share their talents.- Develop joint programs with other SIGs like M-Singles and other interests (web, scuba diving, juggling, whatever).- Write a list GenY-specific tips for the SIGHT program and distribute to local groups.

3. Promote Mensa to gifted GenY non-members.- Help local group coordinators host and promote Mensa events that are open to the public.- Create some sweet swag to sell to our members.- Celebrate member accomplishments through a monthly announcement email. Share them on the website (with permission from the member, obv).- Help facilitate member-organized GenY trips to geeky fun conventions and festivals.

4. Maintain a flat and lightweight ExComm that gets out of the way.The last thing I would want the ExComm to do is to be exactly like how every other SIG is run. We are the generation that rejects the corporate hierarchy, that calls for transparency in government, that values collaboration and crowdsourcing. Why should we run an organization that is based on outdated ways of thinking? We can set an example of a new kind of leadership that gives power to the people. I believe that the role of the ExComm is to give members the resources they need to make a spectacular Mensa and SIG experience. - Develop a public forum for members to share and vote on ideas. Think petitions.whitehouse.gov and Kickstarter. Let the members decide what we do--we’re all smart people here.- Clarify the role of regional coordinators as people who take care of the areas that do not have representation in their local group. They do not coordinate other coordinators. Middle management is irrelevant in this decade.- Create commando workgroups as needed to solve problems and organize events. We do the work that needs to get done then let go. - Assistant National Coordinator for GenY SIG. Welcomed new members to the SIG and helped them connect with their local groups.- Managed the Facebook group, added and approved new members.- Helped run the SIG suite at the AG, including purchasing the refreshments, welcoming people into the suite, supervising the activities, communicating with AG white hats when necessary.- Hosted years of local group events including game nights at my house, annual GenY picnics in the park, ziplining, karaoke, bowling and museum trips.- Developed and hosted the first GenY website.- Became a certified proctor to be the first face potential GenY-aged members see when they interact with Mensa.

*Candidate running for National Co-Coordinator and Regional Coordinator Wrangler

Adam Cannavo

We need to make Mensa more exciting and accessible to our generation. When I joined earlier this year, I though it would be a fun way to meet interesting in my age group with whom I shared at least one thing in common: a thirst and capacity for knowledge. I know they are out there - but I still don't know where to find them or how to get them come out and join the party. We need to improve our social networking (apps and web) and advertising within Mensa to attract people our age (I didn't know this SIG existed!). I'm not sure how to accomplish this yet, but I think I can help lead us there.

I joined Mensa in April 2014, and this is the first I've learned about GenYMs - but I am excited to participate! I've been looking for other Gen Y Mensans and can't wait to get involved. I've got about a decade of leadership experience under my belt, and I mentor and advise others in my professional life.

If elected, I'll strive to help US Mensa become a more attractive organization for GenY. As a first year Mensa member, I've attended both a local meeting and the AG in Boston. In both cases, I was somewhat disappointed in both a.) the lack of GenY members in attendance and b.) the lack of features that many GenY Mensans (or potential Mensans) would typically find attractive, such as virtual meetings, events (e.g. pub crawls, new/trendy restaurant outings, etc.), and even discussion topics.

As with any organization, if there is a lack of focus on attracting younger members, then I'm afraid Mensa may either be headed towards marginalization or even extinction in the next 15-20 years or so.

I want to bring a fresh perspective to Mensa GenY and help make the group more accessible to new members while still remaining enjoyable to continuing members.

I was just introduced to Mensa GenY at this past AG in Boston. I believe being so new to the group can allow for a different perspective than veterans.

*Candidate running for National Co-Coordinator and Treasurer

Michael R Arce

I've never held one of these kinds of positions before. But I would hope that my excellent communication skills, marked extraversion, and enthusiasm for GenY, both in the friendships I've formed and the in the group at large, make up for my relative lack of experience. I place a high value on the people around me being treated fairly and their feeling respected and acknowledged, and I endeavor to effect that the inevitable conflicts that arise when so many people with so many different motivations are gathered together will be resolved to everyone's satisfaction, and with a smile :)I joined about 4 years ago, but didn't become active until I moved to Seattle 2 years ago. Since then, I've attended various happy hours, 2 annual picnics and a few monthly gatherings with Mensa of WW. I volunteered to be a regional GenY co-coordinator for the Seattle area, but a general lack of GenY specific activity in the area made my position redundant, especially contrasted against the experience of the current WW GenY coordinator.

Attending the AG in Boston this year turned out to be a life changing experience for me, and was simply incredible from start to finish. It was the first time I had met and interacted at length with more than a handful of GenY folks at a time, and it reminded me of just what Mensa is all about for me: meeting people who are as broad, intellectual, curious, and funny as I am. Boomshakalaka

I am running for three positions: National Co-Coordinator, GenY Policy Manager position, and GenY Regional Coordinator Wrangler. If I get elected to one of these positions, I will fulfill all of the duties outlined in the position summary and anything that needs to get done. I definitely want to make GenY the best SIG ever. I would like to help make GenY SIG very active locally, regionally and nationally. It would also be great to figure out how to get more GenY Mensa members and how to get the current ones to come out to events.

I have known about Mensa for many years because I went to preschool with Alexis Wise (long time Mensa member). Our families remained friends throughout the years and Andrew and Johanna Wise (parents of Alexis) kept encouraging my Dad and I to join. In 2011 I finally took the test and joined! My Dad also submitted his old SAT scores and joined. In February 2014 I became Gen Y Region 8 Coordinator and in June 2014 I succeeded Stephanie Link as SFRM Gen Y Coordinator.

Mensa Gen Y things I have done:As a volunteer:-Co-planned 3 Mensa Gen Y events in 2014 with Stephanie Link: February Exploratorium After Dark, April Oakland thai dinner, and May California Academy of Sciences Nightlife.-Wrote a short article about Gen Y and the February event that was published in the March issue of The Intelligencer.-A picture we took at the May Gen Y event that I uploaded to facebook also made the front page of the August issue of The Intelligencer!

As Region 8 Gen Y Coordinator (Feb 2014-present):-Communicate with Harold Ward, Reg 8 RVC and contribute Gen Y updates to his monthly column.-Communicated with other Regional coordinators to get ideas for Region 8-Made a Region 8 Gen Y facebook group and contacted local groups to have their members join-Currently planning Gen Y events for the November 2014 RG “Brilliance by the Monterey Bay” Info and registration here:http://www.sfmensa.org/events/gatherings/ -Make relevant posts on the facebook group

As SFRM Gen Y Coordinator (June 2014-present):-Planned the upcoming event “Gen Y at the Beach” (it's on August 16th if you want to come) RSVP on Meetup:http://www.meetup.com/SFMensa/events/193557762/-Make relevant posts on the facebook group

To be honest with you, I'm a new member to Mensa in 2014. I haven't been particularly active (even with my local chapter), and it probably boils down to finding that everything I see posted (pictures, posts) are from an older demographic. If I was elected/chosen, I would strive to get more GenY membership to Mensa in general. I would also try to get the GenY population to step out of the shadows, join online groups (like the LinkedIn group for example), and to participate more fully. I travel pretty extensively for work throughout the Southeastern US, and could easily join/attend/plan networking events while traveling. I manage a large sales team for a top 6 bank, so I'm no stranger to engaging people.

I have absolutely none; I joined earlier this year and have been looking for an opportunity to get involved. I'm assuming that your nomination list would have to be pretty thin for me to have a shot, but I'm always up for a challenge.

While I do not know the specifics about what I can do, I think one of the most important things to do with GenYMs would be to expand our search with respect to bringing in new members and then help to increase awareness (and engagement with those who are already aware). As an individual who has moved locations for work and school a few times, I know the importance and value of finding others you can share a common thread or bond with. I would love to bring my skills, experience, and leadership forward to help build the GenYM platform into a truly powerful body.

*Candidate running for National Co-Coordinator, Treasurer, and Policy Manager

Charles H. Doerge V

I know that, at least for me, Mensa is a place where I can be part of a group which is not a feeling that I have always had. It feels great, and I would like assist with creating dialogue and getting folks like me involved in something larger than themselves. I would absolutely love to reach out to the GenY group members and isolate some re-occurring issues perticular to our generation, both in public and in the Mensa group as a whole. With these problems/issues identified I believe we could come together as a group and throw a little Mensa brain power at them to hopefully make life a little happier for the folks of my generation.